Royal Insight Forum
The Royal Insight Forum is an online discussion forum covering topics relating to the institution of Monarchy in the modern world, as well as offering updates on the happenings in the many royal families of the world. The forum also provides sections where users can debate and share their thoughts and resources on royal history, royal traditions and protocol, and other royalty-related topics.
The forum is part of the Royal Insight website, which was previously known as The Royal Internet Forum (or simply RIF) and was relaunched early in 2011. The forum is divided into several different sections called categories each covering a different aspect of the world of royalty, some of the categories include News where up-to-date Royal News and events are posted as quick links to the actual content. The forum also provides a section called Non-royal forums where users can diversify the content posted away from the royal theme of the forum.
The Royal Insight Forum also through Twitter and Facebook alerts to its users AbOUT new content available on both the main Royal Insight website and its forums.
With a member base of just over 5,000 - the Royal Insight forum is the largest British royal forum ACTIVE on the internet, and one of the largest online communities for all things royal.
History
The Royal Insight Forum began to operate in its current form early in 2011, with the relaunch of the Royal Internet Forum, which previously was known as The Internet Forum. The original Internet Forum was created in 2001 by mediastar - through the years, the website was developed further as it expanded. The royal forum was separated from The Internet Forum early in 2010, the separation took place as the royal forum was due to close down if its owner mediastar was unable to find anyone suitable and willing to take over ownership of the forum. Ownership was finally transferred over by July 2010 to its own and current owner Windsor.
The transfer coincided with the launch of the [Royal Insight] website, an online royalty magazine which offers its readers and users with monthly updates on world royalty, Q&A's sessions, and news on the worlds' many Royal Families.
Throughout its active period, the forum has under all its brands tested out and used several different forum software, including Invision Power Board and phpBB - it currently operates using the version 2.0 of the Simple Machines Forum software.
Royal Insight Team
The Royal Insight Team are unpaid volunteers, who are appointed to the team through several methods. Mostly through invitation by the Administrators. However, users who are interested in being part of the team can and have applied for a position. All members of the team dedicate their free time to run the forum. The team is divided into Writers, Forum Ambassadors, Moderators, and Administrators.
Writers
Writers or Royal Insight Columnists do not have any special function on the forum, however they do contribute articles to the main Royal Insight website. Some of the Forum Ambassadors, Moderators and Administrators are also Columnists. Anyone can apply to join this group, though a certain level of writing skills is required.
Forum Ambassadors
Forum Ambassadors are customer service volunteers. They help new users and answer any questions in regards to the workings of the forum, its software and forum policy. They also provide help on matters regarding posting, getting their accounts set up, or "how to" do anything on the forum. Forum Ambassadors also help out the development of the site by promoting activity, keeping the forum updated with new content and running forum games. They also have several other minor roles, which are mainly carried behind the scenes.
Moderators
Forum Moderators are those members who have been entrusted with keeping the peace on the forum, and making sure all rules are adhered to when posting. They are primarily responsible for ensuring members follow the forum rules, and removing any posts that contain spam, defamatory content, or copyrighted content. Moderators take a leadership position within the forum, and often are seen carrying out maintenance tasks, these task include merging and closing topics. They play an important role in ensuring the well-being of the forum and its users.
Administrators
The small team of Administrators ensure the forum is run smoothly and with efficiency, their role is mostly carried out behind the scenes, they take care of major maintenance works, backups and website development, they also manage of the Royal Insight Team.